Dane's character will reportedly to survive a plane crash seen in the season finale in May, according to TV Line, but his on-again-off-again girlfriend Lexie Grey did not. But Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes said that fans shouldn't assume anything about the upcoming season.

"When we start the season, we are ahead enough in time where we see the outcome of lots of things. And in the second episode of the season, there's rewind - we go backwards - to where they're still in the forest," told Entertainment Weekly. "So you see what happened and in the next episode, you see how we get there."

Dane has been a part of the series since its second season. Dane will reportedly be back for a number of episodes on the series' ninth season this fall to finish out the character's story arc.

"I am extremely grateful to everyone at 'Grey's,' ABC and Shondaland for the experience and memories I have had over the course of this run," the 39-year-old actor told TV Line. "It has been wonderful to work alongside and learn from a creative force such as Shonda Rhimes."

Dane is married to actress Rebecca Gayheart and the couple has two daughters together. Dane has also had roles in "Burlesque," "Valentine's Day," "Marley & Me" and "X-Men: The Last Stand."

In addition to Dane's exit, it was previously reported that Kim Raver will not return to the series next season either. Chyler Leigh, who portrayed Lexie Grey on the series, was killed in the season finale.